1. Lets explore and find out why PDHPE is so important in
primary schools-
Miss Jasmine Ahmad teacher of class 5A

2. What is PDHPE?
• PDHPE- Personal Development, Health and
Physical Education is one of the six key learning
areas in the NSW primary curriculum (pdhpe
syllabus, 2007).
• PDHPE is a topic that focuses on supporting
children to make the right choices associated with
health, physical activity and to grow an optimistic
outlook towards healthy living for a healthy future.

3. PDHPE is a very important subject in the school
curriculum in that it contributes to a Childs
everyday life, and teaches them how to live
effectively and make healthy life decisions. PDHPE
promotes physical activity, influences on healthy
choices, and supports students physical, social,
cognitive and emotional growth and development
for children's wellbeing.

4. Australian health statistics of todays society, and how PDHPE
tries to prevent these statistics:
• The proportion of males aged 2-24 in a healthy weight range decreases with increasing age.
• About 5% of males and females were underweight, 17% were overweight and 5% were obese.
• In 2007–08, more than half (55%) of males aged 17–24 did sufficient physical activity to confer a health benefit.
• In 2007, 8% of males aged 5–15 had experienced toothache ‘very often, often or sometimes’ and 11% had avoided certain
foods due to oral problems.
• These are only a few of many statistics that prove how important PDHPE education is exceedingly needed in our schools today. These
statistics show students between 5-15 years already avoid certain foods due to severity of their oral health problems. This can be due to the
lack of health education provided in their time.
• (Australian health statistics (2013) 0-24 yrs., http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129543996)

5. PDHPE syllabus proposition:
o The PDHPE syllabus (2007) focuses on many health issues society face today. Key issues that the
syllabus focus on include:
• Personal health choices in when making life decisions
• Safe living and learning how to protect ones self from harm
• Living an active lifestyle and moving around to keep fit
• Learning about their growth and development of different stages their bodies go through

6. Skills children gain from PDHPE
o The PDHPE syllabus (2007) offer many skills that improve children's self esteem which includes:
• Their communication skills by giving them the opportunity to vent their emotions
• Decision making on healthy choices
• Interacting with other children and doing group work
• Problem solving through assembling appropriate information

7. It is essential that all students are
encouraged to participate
effectively in their PDHPE classes in
order to be able to make wise
decisions for a healthy future and to
prevent any health issues that
society faces in today's society. And
don’t forget that PDHPE is a great
excuse to get outside and have fun
whilst still learning!

8. Reference
• www.dreamstime.com (Background
cartoon pictures)
• Board of Studies, NSW. (2007). Personal
development, health and physical
education K-6 syllabus. Sydney, Australia:
Author.
• Australian health statistics, (2013)
http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/Downl
oadAsset.aspx?id=60129543996